ArticleBMC nursing2025
Qualitative study of spousal emotional experiences of taking care of dying patients.
Article in BMC nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- End-of-life sedation and gendered narrative registers: a longitudinal qualitative study of spouses bereaved by cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
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7 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSpouses caring for cancer patients in the terminal phase often grapple with significant physical distress when faced with the impending death of their partners. Regrettably, the personal emotions and mental health challenges of caregiving spouses are commonly overlooked. This study utilized qualitative research methodologies to delve into the emotional experiences of spouses as they provide care to dying patients.
methodsUtilizing a phenomenological research approach, this study employed purposeful sampling to select 11 spouses of patients in the terminal phase of cancer who were hospitalized at Taizhou Hospital in Zhejiang Province from June 2024 to August 2024. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted to understand the caregiving experiences of spouses during the end-of-life period. The interview data were organized and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. We followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.
resultsThe study collectively extracted 3 main themes and 12 subthemes: (1) positive and negative emotional experiences (including deep gratitude, valuing the time spent together, a shift in life's priorities, contemplation of the essence of life and a transformation in life philosophy, a sense of helplessness and confusion about life and death, emotional exhaustion, feelings of loneliness and helplessness, and heart's inability to endure); (2) caught off guard by the changes (leading to death anxiety and a state of high alert, panic-stricken and fearful); and (3) the pain of parting, piercing to the heart and soul (deep attachment to the spouse, the sorrow and pain of parting).
conclusionDuring the process of caring for patients at the end-of-life stage, spouses may experience a range of negative emotions, which can threaten their mental health. Medical staff should pay attention to the well-being of patients' spouses while providing care to dying patients. They should offer psychological support and care tailored to their spouse's actual situation, establish a supportive care system, enhance caregiving abilities, and alleviate grieving emotions.
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